MORE THAN HALF of Irish employers plan to cancel the annual staff Christmas party this year, according to a new survey.

Some 51 per cent of employers have labelled the annual get-together too costly to justify in straitened financial times, according to the survey by employment law consultancy group Peninsula Ireland.

“Businesses have to weigh up whether the cost of hosting a Christmas party is worth it for their business – firms are still trying to tighten their belts and subsequently they don’t feel that the price of a Christmas party can be justified,” said Alan Price, managing director of Peninsula Ireland.

“Similarly, there are still a number of employers who unfortunately have made people redundant this year and if they then go and throw a Christmas party this could be seen as inappropriate and insensitive.”

Additionally, 72 per cent of managers reported having to deal with employee complaints over drunken behaviour following a Christmas party – adding to the potential problems of hosting a staff gathering.

However, it appears that employees are very attached to the annual affairs, with 82 per cent of Irish workers saying they believe it would be wrong for their employer to cancel the Christmas party.

Price said that while Chritmas parties can be costly, it was still important for employees to feel rewarded for  their work throughout the year: ”Does the company have its own premises for a party or pay for a venue? Should workers bring their own food and drink to save money?… the traditional Christmas party does not have to break the bank and may help to boost staff morale,” he pointed out.